Congratulations and Thanks

Congratulations on the birth of your child! The Parish Community shares in your joy. Thank you for wanting to have your baby join the family of the Church through Baptism. By asking for your baby’s Baptism, you are publicly thanking God for His gift to you and making a commitment to bring up your child in the Christian faith. We will help you carry out your decision by giving you our wholehearted support.

Baptism Dates and Arrangements

Baptisms take place First Saturday of the month at 3.00pm and Second Sunday of the month after the 10am Mass in St. Mary’s and after the 11.30am Mass in Holy Cross.

Booking Your Child’s Ceremony

To arrange a baptism in our Parish please contact the parish office for details.

Your Baby’s Baptism

Your child’s baptism is a time of celebration and joy. Naturally, you want the best for your child. We want to help you plan and prepare for the Baptism in the best possible way…

An important Question…An important Question…An important Question…

Why have you requested baptism for your child in the Church?

There may be many reasons… Seems to be the thing to do? Someone else in the family wants it? It’s on my “to do” list? I’m afraid something might happen my child? It’s a significant step that starts the faith journey?

How the Church sees Baptism

The Church sees Baptism as the first important step on the Christian journey. On the day your child was born, he/she was welcomed into their family. On the day of baptism they are welcomed into the bigger family of the Lord, the Church. In baptism we enter into a unique and special relationship with the person of Jesus Christ and we try to live out that relationship in and through the people around us. Or put another way … In Baptism we become

• A son/daughter of God the Father
• A brother/sister of Jesus Christ
• A temple of the Holy Spirit
• A member of God’s family, the Church.

The Symbols Used in the Baptism Ceremony

The Sign of the Cross:

A stamp or imprint on something is a sign of its origin or ownership. The sign of the cross which we make at the beginning of the ceremony on the child’s forehead, claims him/her for Christ.

Oils:

In the Celebration of Baptism TWO different oils are used;

The Oil of catechumens – The child is anointed on the chest with this oil as a sign that the Lord is giving them strength for the Christian journey they are beginning.

The Oil of Chrism – A very sacred oil, which the child is anointed with on the top of the head. Oil is used to anoint Kings and monarchs, it sets people aside for a mission. We are set aside for the Christian mission on the day we are baptised.

Profession of Faith:

YOU have requested baptism for your child. In doing this YOU ARE MAKING A COMMITMENT to bringing up your child in the faith. – We promise to live by Christian values and pass on those values to our child. We promise to bring our child to Mass and the Sacraments, for this is what it means to belong to the Christian family. Therefore we profess the faith that we promise, before the community gathered, to pass onto our child. We pray for the grace to live as good Christian witnesses before our child.

Water:

Water is essential for life! In Baptism, water symbolises the new life we receive in Christ. Just as we nurture and care for a plant or shrub, in order for it to live a healthy life, we too must nurture and care for our faith in order for it to grow healthy and strong.

Baptism Robe/Shawl:

The White Robe is a symbol of Christ. After they were baptised, the early Christians used to clothe themselves in white garments to show that they had “put on Christ”. In the same way, the child, during the baptism ceremony, is clothed in the white shawl to show that they are “clothed in Christ” or “wrapped up” in the love of Christ!

The Baptism Candle:

The large Easter Candle (or Paschal Candle) is lit for the Baptism ceremony. This light symbolises Christ, the Risen Lord, who overcame the cross and rose to new life. It is a symbol of hope! A smaller Baptism Candle is lit from the Easter Candle. This light, love and hope of Jesus is being passed on to the new Christian through YOU the parents.

After the Baptism Ceremony

As your child grows it is important to pray with them, share some bible stories (maybe purchase a Children’s Bible), visit the Church to light a candle for someone who is sick, attend Mass…etc.

We pray God’s Blessing upon you in the challenge ahead of bringing up your child in the faith….

Registration of Baptism

The parish records the baptism of your child in the Baptismal Register of the parish. This record includes the full names of the child, parents and godparents, the child’s date of birth, the date of the baptism and the name of the officiating priest or deacon. A Ceritificate of Baptism can be issued as and when required.

Adult Baptism

In recent years our parish has welcomed adult men and women who presented themselves for baptism. People from other lands and traditions find that the faith of their friends and neighbours have inspired them to want to learn more about becoming a Catholic and being baptised into the Christian faith.

If you wish to explore the possibility of becoming a Christian member of the Catholic Church then please contact Fr. Jimmy. We will welcome you, and help you on your faith journey. You may find helpful the following information about Christian initation of adults.

What is RCIA?

The’ Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults’ is the process by which the Catholic Church welcomes new adult members into the Christian Community.

Who can participate in the RCIA?

Non-Christians who are interested in becoming members of the Christian Community.

Those baptised in another Christian tradition who are interested in becoming full members of the Catholic Church.

Catholics who are baptised but who have not yet received the Sacrament of the Eucharist or Confirmation.

What methods are used?

The RCIA is a return to the method used by the Early Church to initiate new members into the Christian Community.

It is a process of Christian initiation into the Church that includes the study of sacred scripture and doctrine, spiritual reflection, private and liturgical prayer and community service and involvement.

The RCIA is a process of conversion and spiritual growth for adults. Each period is liturgically marked by celebrations indicating the end of one stage and the entrance into the next stage of the faith journey.

To Inquire about the RCIA programme Please contact any member of the Parish Team.